Cat and Canary

My general lack of form, 16 miles on Wednesday, last night's track session and a bottle of red wine mostly to my self last night all contributed

The first half was hard.  The second half I relaxed a little, realised what a beautiful day it was and then relaxed.  Later on I had some very, very dark thoughts.  Perhaps I was hungry.

Still a couple of minutes (!!!) of where I was during London training.  I wonder if I will ever get back there?

5miles 37:36

Track

Cold, decent number of people there.  I spend most of the time lagging behind the middle paced group.  Still don't think I am running as well as I was.

My main stopwatch has died.  The spare heart rate monitor is appalling to use so no times.

1 mile tempo 400,800,1200,800,400

Evening return run

I feel tired in the afternoon at work but part of that is boredom with work.  I get out at 5:30pm and head for the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.  They are now making progress and on one staircase most of the hoarding is down.

I was planning to run on the outside of Greenwich park on the road that goes up the side.  But even though it is dark the park is still open and traffic is going through.  I decide to gamble and run through it.  It is dark.  Still I am soon out the otherside.  I noticed it closes at 6.  I'm not sure how close to 6 I am.

I run across Blackheath and it is still a bit of a struggle.  Then somewhere, on the far side of Lee it gets easier.   I suspect it is around the magic 45 minutes to and hour mark.  I always find the first part of the run the hardest before it gets easier.  One problem though, I need a wee wee.  Badly.  I don't find anywhere to go.

My usual 5km run back from Grove Park is fun.  By the time I reach Bromley North the pace has picked up and I am really enjoying the run.   Still need a wee wee though.

I manage to hold on until I get home.  The second half of the run was fantastic, though slightly ruined by the need-of-a wee-wee.

A good block of mileage today.  Hopefully will be fresh for intervals tomorrow and 5 mile race on Friday.

14.4km 1:32:17

Some morning action

I want to try and do some part running to work.  It may make the journey easier and it is good to run early.  Today I run to Lewisham.  I logged into work from home early and so there is no rush.

I take it very easy.  It is cold and misty through Beckenham Place Park.  As I get on the far side of Catford it becomes all-so-easy and I resist the temptation to pick up the pace.

I know that I plan to run all the way home tonight so best leave some in the tank. I would like this morning run to be a recovery run.  A zero effort recovery.  It remains to see how much it takes out of me.

The time is surprisingly quick.  I guess it must be downhill this way.  I can't imagine the cut through Beckenham Place Park saved that much time?

8km 47:41

Back from Lewisham getting easier!

I want to try and maybe start getting some early in the day miles in but today it was too rainy.  Tonight it has cleared so I head back from Lewisham.  And it feels easier.  I am not super-fast but then again it does not feel horrible.

I get caught at various traffic lights but considering this, the time is not too bad.

8km 45:00

Berry's Green Circular Walk on Remembrance Day

Lots to do today.  Need to get back and take my two youngest to see the Spitfires at Biggin Hill.  My wife is taking my other daughter to the church.  Long run first though.  I get up at 7 and head to Cudham.

The first hour of the run is hard.  I get on with it.  In Downe I see some lost hikers probably on their Duke of Edinborough.  They are lost. I show them my GPS mapping.  No worse cheating than me telling them where they were

Then gradually, somewhere around the North Downs way, it gets easier.   I stop to take some photos and then I'm in the groove.  Not as fast as January this year but getting better.  Then a problem.  A fallen tree totally blocks the way.  I climb over the fence into a field and around it.   I then bump into a pack of 4 or 5 other runners, some I recognise from local running events.  They follow me for a while and then we separate.

Soon I am on the last walk up the steep slope and gentle road trundle for a few hundred metres.  This whole run feels tough.  I did a few times before starting my serious marathon training and it was probably what got me into shape.

13.5km 1:35:59

Hills after a busy day

Busy day with the Kids.  Swimming, Theatre, Lord Mayors Show, Dinner with Friends.  I get home and head out to do the hills session.  Don't feel like it but do it.

5 minute warm up and then up the hill for around a minute, jog back down.  10 times.  As usual the first few are the hardest.  The last one is always trivial.

When you are fit, properly fit the feeling is fantastic.  As I jog down the hill on my warm down, I have the hint of that feeling.

Hills 5 x 10 1 minute efforts with jog down recovery